Archive for July, 2012

This unusual mid sized copter is one of the only whirlies in the world with it’s primary rotor on its underside. One doesn’t typically see this formation due to the obvious difficulty when setting a copter like this down on the ground. The Helihyla’s engineers solved that problem by keeping it’s engine independent of the rest of it’s rotors and attaching the unit to powerful mechanical arms that swing the whole thing up and and over and out of the way during take off and landing. Of course that means that it’s three secondary rotors have to take over when the primary one shuts down, and that’s why there are three of them. The other benefit of this independent main thrust is that it can be positioned behind the copter which will give this whirly a lot of extra forward push when it needs it. The Helihyla is primarily used as a small ferry or for short pleasure cruises, it’s unique main deck is configured with 360 degrees of viewing glass, making it a great whirly to see the sights in.

This is the last photo ever taken of The White Bird and it’s pilot and navigator, Charlie Nungen and Frank Cole. The copter disappeared over the sea while competing for the famed Artig prize, to be the first heavier than air vehicle to cross nearly 2,500 miles of open ocean. The fate of The White Bird is one of the great mysteries in whirly history, the copter was expected by many to win the prize, but it became apparent that the vessel had veered off course soon after take-off when it didn’t appear along the sea lanes that it was due to cross. It is suspected that the vehicle left its scheduled route in order to a avoid bad storm front that had pushed in from the south.

The White Bird was an especially heavy craft for such a small whirly. It was outfitted with a powerful 2 rotor main engine and had multiple fuel tanks to carry nearly 1000 gallons of fuel. It was an ungainly flyer and took an experienced pilot to keep it steady and aloft. This setup subscribed to the prevailing theory regarding extended flight at that time. That strong engines, and lots of fuel were more important than weight.

Floating high up in the clouds like a dandelion seed in the breeze this copter can cruise for hours on end. It is very light weight despite it’s three small motors and it’s rotors are maximized for stability and lift where the air is thinnest. It ingenious lower stabilizer fin and tertiary rotor rotates up for take-offs and landings and provides extra lift during initial ascent. It’s cabin, while very small, is air tight and surprisingly warm in the upper atmosphere. Dandelion copters are primarily used as guidance copters. They hover over cities, and at waypoints of significance as flying signals to assist other whirlies in navigation. Most importantly, they can be equipped with several high candlepower lights and seen from miles away in the dead of night. Flying a Dandelion is a pretty lonely affair but long time pilots frequently comment that the upper atmosphere is a beautiful place to fly, and the quiet is meditatively peaceful.

Sometimes larger craft need a little help getting in and out of heavily trafficked airports. Busy airways are tough on big clumsy freight craft and various work copters, and they often lack the maneuverability to get through safely. And that is when Helitugs are indispensable, towing or pushing larger whirlies comfortably through the most jumbled air traffic. Helitugs, sometimes called towcopters, are tough little birds with some of the sturdiest hulls you can find. They may look unimposing but they also pack some of the most powerful rotors in the skies, capable of pushing or towing copters several tons larger than themselves. While these copters are completely at home in and around the ports they are not well equipped for the open skies, and can be dangerous to pilot though complex air currents of the higher altitudes. Being denizens of the busier of airways, it’s not uncommon to see helitugs equipped with water-cannons to assist in firefighting should such a calamity occur without a fire brigade nearby.